To be honest, prior to Aspen’s birth, I recall having a frank conversation with an aunt about the convenience of formula. I remember having a casual conversation with my mom (who was my labor and delivery nurse) about my plan to not breastfeed, and boy did she give me an earful.
I didn’t have much information surrounding the benefits of breastfeeding at that moment but soon after that conversation, I found myself sitting in a breastfeeding class. By the time the class ended, my mind was made up. I was going to try to do the damn thing.
Fast forward to Aspen’s newborn days — they were the hardest days of my entire life. I mean, I was eating to feed this little creature that just came out of my belly.
I ended up nursing her until after she was 1 years old. After she turned 1, Ms. Aspen wouldn’t tolerate any milk I attempted to give her which led me to continue pumping until she was 24 months and 2 weeks. It took a 4-day trip to Miami with the hubbs to get Aspen off these boobies. I still credit breast milk for her smarts. Look, I’m not saying only breastfed babies are smart, but that’s my story.
Three years and one month later, Chandler arrived and he quickly took to nursing. He, on the other hand, drank so much darn milk that I could barely keep up. He nursed until about 11 months and then he took formula and he is as perfect as can be.
So mommas, if you breastfeed, congratulations. The shit is hard, but you can do it. I got smarter the second time around and purchased all kinds of products to help me along the way. Boobi Bars were my favorite snack during the day when I needed both extra goodies and the ability to keep my milk flowing. Flaxseed, Oatmeal, Moringa, Barley, and Tumeric all helped with energy. Prior to looking for products with these ingredients, I felt weak and was hungry all the time. These helped quench that feeling of exhaustion and low energy.
In addition to those foods, here are a list of foods that helped with lactation when feeding both babies: Barley, Bananasm Carrots, Celery, Eggplant, Green beans, Miso, Tofu, Sweet Potatoes, Pears, Potatoes, Nut Milk, Millet, Rice, and Rolled Oats.
What I Ate Less of: Citric fruit( pineapple, oranges, peaches). Garlic, Lemon Juice, Lentils, Turnips, Tomatoes, Berries.
If you can’t breastfeed or choose not to, that is ok also. You are still amazing and feeding your healthy baby. Shine on momma.
